Suicide Prevention Week begins Sept. 8, and LifeSavers is hosting it’s 12th annual walk on Sept. 7 at Moreland Park.
Mike Flaherty, the chairman of the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition, said the concept of the walk has evolved over time.
“It started as a way to honor and remember those that died and in supportive memory,” Flaherty said. “Most who walk are family and friends.”
Flaherty said one of the purposes of the walk is to highlight the fact that survivors, the term given to those who have lost someone by suicide, are grieving their loss. He said that because of the stigma around suicide, most survivors do not get much support.
“It’s not malicious, but the suicide is shocking and traumatic and hard to conceive,” Flaherty said, adding that people don’t know what to say our how to respond to those who have lost someone by suicide.
Flaherty said that society has become better at reducing the stigma, but has a long way to go. This walk is a way to provide the community with support, he said.
The Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition strives to provide the community with resources and hopes that by making people more aware of suicide and de-stigmatizing it, work can begin on interventions for the community.
“Death is one thing we all share,” Flaherty said.
Several survivors in the walk wear shirts to honor a loved one, which provides an opportunity for those stories to be shared.
“It’s a large group, but small groups honor the individual on that day,” Flaherty said. “When one dies by suicide, it affects a wide range of people.”
Flaherty said that the numbers for the walk grow each year and range from 250 to 500 participants. Several walkers have participated for many years.
Registration for the event is at 9 a.m. in the shelter near 12th Street and Hickman Avenue at Moreland Park.
At 9:45 a.m., Jeff Hardesty and Skylar Cain will play music and the walk begins at 10 a.m.
There is no fee for registration but donations are accepted to fund next year’s event.
Walkers, strollers, wheelchairs are all permitted as well as dogs on leashes.
Pictures from the event will be posted on LifeSavers’ Facebook event page.
